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Monday, March 24, 2014

Spotlight on Mom: Allison Brush-Stern, Creator of Collapse-A-Pail

Now that spring is finally here, that means summer is right around the corner. I can't wait until the warmer weather comes so that we can take day trips to the beaches in CT and RI with the girls. And, when we do finally make it to the beach, I will be sure to pack our Collapse-A-Pail, which was recently sent to me to review by mom-inventor, Allison Brush-Stern. Like so many inventions, Allison created the Collapse-A-Pail out of necessity. After forgetting her children's sand pails while on vacation, she had this "ah ha" moment as she remembered back to her childhood and her mom having a collapsible cup in her purse for on-the-go drinking. Allison searched and searched to see if someone had come up with a collapsible sand pail. Unable to find one, she set off on the entrepreneur path to create one and her business Collapse-It-All, LLC and the Collapse-A-Pail were born.While I will not be making any stops to the beach soon to give this pail a try, I will share more about it on Friday and offer one lucky reader the chance to win their own Collapse-A-Pail, thanks to Allison. Right now, I am crossing my fingers that the snow that is planned for tomorrow night passes over New England, so that the ground will thaw and we can finally get outside and let the girls play in their sandbox with their Collapse-A-Pail, as they wait for warmer beach weather. :-)To learn more about the Collapse-A-Pail and to order your own Collapse-A-Pails, please visit Allison's website at www.collapseapail.com. Once you are done ordering your Collapse-A-Pail, which would make for great Easter baskets or egg hunt pails, please enjoy my Spotlight on Mom interview with Allison Brush-Stern, the creator of the Collapse-A-Pail -- a must have for families as you gear up for beach season this year.

Favorite Inspirational Quotes: Life is unfolding perfectly, just the way it's supposed to

Favorite Book: The Law of Attraction

Tell us a little bit about yourself. How many children do you have? What are their ages? Your hobbies? Etc.

I am a mom of 3 beautiful children, Ryan is 10, Aidan 9 and Carly is 5. We love going to the movies or staying home to cook and watch some TV, cuddling up together.

Briefly explain your business. How did it come about?

I was vacationing with my children while my husband was back at home at work...I gathered everything we needed or so I thought..got everyone ready and we headed to walk to the beach...upon arriving the boys who then were 4 and 5 asked where are all the pails and shovels! AHHH! I left them back at the hotel...that's when it came to me...I remembered my mother always had in her purse a small plastic, foldable cup that she would take out every time she wanted a drink of water. That's it, that's what I needed a foldable, packable beach pail one that collapses and would fit in my beach bag and COLLAPSE A PAIL was born.

What is a typical work day like? I have a full time job so evenings are usually packing orders of online sales and connecting with potential retailers.

What has been a struggle while starting up your company? Negotiating prices with my overseas factory.

What did you do in your past work life? I am the Director of Sports Business Journal

What have been some of your major successes? I was invited on the Anderson Cooper Talk Show and won $10k for the most creative invention, we sold our first huge sale to the baby catalog One Step Ahead and The Toy Fair allowed us to meet with many retailers and huge toy stores and resorts that we are now in conversation with to supply the pails.

What have been some of your major challenges? Our first prototype did not work and we paid for the mold, and the pail did not fold.

On those impossible days, what motivates you to keep going? The possibility of being a working mom from HOME!

What is your balancing secret in managing a business and family? A loving, devoted father and some wonderful nannies.

What is next for your business? We will be expanding the line with more sizes and other products.

Do you have any advice for other mom entrepreneurs that are starting out and struggling, or are on the fence about starting a business?

If you have a great idea, don't let someone else get it out there before you do. Connect with a lawyer friend and get the idea, drawing to have a provisional patent.

Necessity is the mother of invention and moms often think of wonderful things our children need or that we could use. Don't Stop...the answers are out there...GOOGLE IT!